Afternoon, y’all! This is the A.M. ATL crew checking in outside of normal hours because, well, this is important and we want you to stay safe. The forecast is still evolving, so keep an eye on this page, where we’ll be posting live updates throughout the weekend.

We can all get a little dramatic about winter weather around here, but this upcoming storm is the real deal. Several inches of snow and ice could coat Atlanta and North Georgia starting Friday, and frigid temperatures are going to keep everything miserable through the weekend. If you can stay inside, stay inside. If you don’t have to drive, don’t.

Local governments say they’re better prepared for winter ugliness after the Snowpocalypses of 2014 and 2011, and roads are already being tended to with salt and brine and other safety measures. Let’s follow their lead and learn from our frigid, gridlocked past. Here’s what you need to know about conditions, closures and personal safety:

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WHAT THE WEATHER’S GOING TO BE LIKE

When it’s going to hit: A winter storm watch from the National Weather Service is in effect from 7 a.m. Friday to 7.a.m. Saturday.

Who will be affected: The watch covers all of North Georgia from the Tennessee and North Carolina lines, through metro Atlanta into Griffin and Paulding County, and as far southwest as Harris County and southeast as Elbert County. In northeast Alabama, the outlook is elevated to a winter storm warning. (What’s the difference? In short, warning is more dire than watch. We explain more here.)

North Georgia could get three inches of snow during that time, and more at higher elevations. Closer to the city, snowfall predictions have been adjusted to less than an inch. According to the latest from Channel 2 Action News, the storm will hit western parts of Georgia in the early morning hours, with the worst coming to metro Atlanta between 8 a.m. and noon.

Icy conditions: The Atlanta area may not see a lot of snow, but that does not mean things are going to be safe. The storm will likely bring freezing rain, which means ice – as much as a quarter inch across metro Atlanta. And with cold temps, the slick may stick around. So even if you’re not seeing accumulation, roads will still be treacherous.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PREPARE

Stay home: Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a statewide State of Emergency, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is urging the public to stay home Friday until Sunday.

Prevent a freeze: The last thing you need right now is a plumbing emergency. Here’s how to keep your pipes from bursting during the cold snap.

💧💧💧 What causes pipes to burst? When water freezes, it expands, creating pressure that can easily wreck metal or plastic pipes. The general idea is to keep pipes warmer if possible, and give that pressure a place to go by keeping taps a little open.

Keep your pets safe: No baths or long trips outside for Sergeant Snuggles this weekend – and make sure you read up on other helpful pet safety tips.

Prep for a power outage: Charge all your laptops, phones and other essential devices in case the storm knocks out power. That way, if your phone loses juice, you can use your laptop as an ad-hoc charger and stay connected. Put eyes on your candles and flashlights, gather up some blankets and watch out for food safety. Food will stay cool in a fridge without power for about 4 hours, and a full freezer will be safe for about 48, according to the CDC. Finally, if you have family or neighbors with special needs, make a plan to check in if things get hairy.

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WHAT’S GOING TO BE CLOSED

Many school districts and local colleges have already announced closures or remote learning days. More announcements are coming in fast and often, so you can keep up to date with closures here. As of 2 p.m., the following districts and institutions have announced closures or remote operations tomorrow:

State offices in the affected area, including offices in Columbus, Macon and Augusta will be closed Friday.

Some medical offices like DeKalb Public Health regional health centers will be closed Friday, as will Grady clinics and neighborhood health centers. Grady Memorial Hospital will remain open.

Atlanta attractions like the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the King Center and the Georgia Aquarium will be closed Friday, and the storm may affect weekend programming as well. (The latest closures are listed here.) But, again, we’ll all be staying home, right? Right.

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BOTTOM LINE: STAY SAFE!

A weekend inside is the perfect time to try some cozy activity, like French toast or soup making. (Retreating into cocoon of warm blankets is also an option.) And, if nothing else, there’s plenty of playoff football this weekend to keep us occupied.

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Talk to you again in the morning.